Genesis 33:2

2 And he put the maydens ad their childern formest ad Lea and hir childern after and Rahel ad Ioseph hindermost.

Genesis 33:2 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 33:2

And he put the handmaids and their children foremost
In the first division, as being less honourable and less beloved by him: and Leah and her children after;
still according to the degree of honour and affection due unto them; Leah being a wife that was imposed and forced upon him: and Rachel and Joseph hindermost;
being most beloved by him, and therefore most careful of them; Rachel being his principal and lawful wife, and who had the greatest share in his affection, and Joseph his only child by her.

Genesis 33:2 In-Context

1 Iacob lyfte vp his eyes and sawe hys brother Esau come and with him .iiij. hundred men. And he deuyded the childern vnto Lea and vnto Rahel and vnto ye ij. maydens.

2 And he put the maydens ad their childern formest ad Lea and hir childern after and Rahel ad Ioseph hindermost.

3 And he went before them and fell on the grownde, vij. tymes vntill he came vnto his brother.

4 Esau ranne agaynst him and enbraced hym and fell on his necke and kyssed him and they wepte.

5 And he lifte vp his eyes and sawe the wyves and their childern and sayde: what are these which thou there hast? And he sayde: they are the childern which God hath geuen thy seruaunte.